coming up ...a relflection of 2007.....at a blog near you.. =D

Night Prayer:

Lord, help me know your presence in my night times and in the dawn the warmth of your love.

Last Day of the Year:

Ponder on some key events of the year. We each have much to thank God for, regardless of the pains and disappointments we had experienced during the year. Without God, our lives would not only be worse; but also would be empty of its meaning, purpose and joy. Ponder on the truth of this insight.

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Only a few hours more, and this year too will come to an end and pass into history. I too finish the year and await the new dawn of joy. I go down on my knees before my God and, recalling His kindnesses to me this year, I humble myself in the dust and thank Him with all my heart.

- Blessed Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)

Feast of the Holy Family (A)

Sir 3:2-7, 12-14
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Col 3:12-21 or Col 3:12-17
Mt 2, 13-15, 19-23

Hello, I’m Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, with the "Sunday Soundbite" for the Feast of the Holy Family.

At a family reunion some years ago, I was struck by the physical resemblances among my family members. The facial characteristics of some of the older folks there were visible in some the younger members. I wondered, too, whether the values which motivated my immigrant ancestors to come to America some one hundred and fifty years ago, were still present in my family today.

Today's Gospel, from Matthew's account of Christ's infancy, shows us a family grappling with a crisis. Joseph has to take Mary and Jesus to safety, to avoid the clutches of King Herod, who seeks the child's life. Scripture scholars tell us that there's meaning below the story's surface. Matthew is reflecting on Old Testament references which lead us to see Jesus as the "new Moses" and the "new Israel." The story of the Israelite slaves leaving Egypt for freedom in the Promised Land would have appealed to Matthew's audience. They were, most probably, a Christian community struggling to focus its new identity in relation to its Jewish origins.

Our American religious experience is also rooted in family origins: our ancestors who struggled to keep the faith as oppressed slaves, impoverished immigrants, persecuted minorities. Knowing where we've come from, and keeping ourselves rooted in Christ and his mission, can help us weather any crisis.

Scripture:

•Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; (Sirach 3:6)

•For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, (Psalm 128:2)

•Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, (Colossians 3:16)

•Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, (Matthew 2:13)

•Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, (Matthew 2:20)

Reflection:

•What is the most important aspect of your life? If it was all you had to sustain you, would it be enough to survive?

•If you were to take a spiritual journey, what (who) would you bring?

•In Matthew, are Egypt and Israel metaphors for a spiritual journey?

•Is Egypt the journey to nowhere or nothingness and Israel the journey back to God?

•Are these normal stopping points on the spiritual journey?

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

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we celebrate the Holy Family as well as our own families. All the scriptures at Mass give us instruction on how to be a holy family.

The first reading tells children (young and old) to "honor" and "revere" their parents, to be considerate of them when they get old and feeble and to be kind to them even if they fail to love us well. It does NOT say that children have to obey their parents ALL the time. This scripture never uses the word "obey".

We are to only obey God, and if a parent instructs us to do what God wants us to do (as in the responsorial Psalm), then by obeying Mom or Dad, we're obeying God, but if a parent disobeys God, we are not to follow him or her into sin. We can honor and revere our parents by respecting their personhood even while refusing to cooperate with their sins.

The second reading instructs us to "put on love, the bond of perfection", and to make sure that the peace of Christ controls our hearts. How? Saint Francis de Sales said, "Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset."

Verse 18 is NOT saying that wives should do this by obeying their husbands as if in a child-father relationship. To understand the message here, replace the word "subordinate" or "submit" with "respect". God has put the husband in charge of providing protection for the family (which is why in the Gospel reading it's Joseph, not Mary, who was given the dream) — including spiritual protection (teaching holiness and leading the family to heaven). When a wife respects her husband's personhood (the man God created him to be), she's placing herself (subordinating herself) into his protection, which is also God's protection.

And the husband is commanded to love his wife. Why isn't the wife told to love her husband? Because by nature she's a nurturer and a care-giver. But the man, created to protect, is by nature a warrior. To be holy, the husband must overcome his innate urge to protect himself so that he can make sacrifices for his family, just like Jesus.

Questions for Personal Reflection:

Which family relationships need to become holier? What can you do this week to improve these by (choose the ones that fit your situation) honoring your parents, teaching your children, and showing respect and love for your spouse (or ex-spouse) in imitation of Christ?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:

Husbands (and ex-husbands and widowers), explain how important it is to feel respected. Wives (and ex-wives and widows), share how respect for husbands is effective in nurturing the marital relationship. How does the husband's protective nature imitate Christ? How does his love also imitate Christ? How is this similarly played out in a priest's relationship with his parish?

Blessing for Christmas:

Each day holds the promise of new birth. Let us offer hope and possibility to all we meet. May all know your love imprinted on their hearts, Caring God, by the way we honor them. Amen.

“Holy Family” – Refugees:

The members of the “Holy Family”: Jesus, Mary and Joseph were also refugees. They had to flee from their own town in order to avoid being killed. Today, we pray specially for the millions of refugee families who are mercilessly forced to flee from their own countries to avoid being killed.

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During the whole Christmas period our eyes will rejoice at the mystery of the Holy Family, just as children rejoice when they look at the crib, recognizing in it a kind of prototype of their own family, the family within which they came into the world. How many cribs there are in the world: in churches, in public squares, in homes and even in workplaces! The Birth of the Lord gladdens us, the mystery of the Holy Family gladdens us.

- Pope John Paul II (12-25-95)

Christmas Celebration:

We celebrate the great gift of God’s Son, Jesus himself. May our family become more and more like the Holy Family, may peace fill our hearts, our home and our world, we pray.

Prophet Simeon’s Faith:

In today’s Gospel, Prophet Simeon experienced a deep consolation from the fulfillment of his dream of seeing the Messiah. What would you wish to “achieve” in this life, so that like Prophet Simeon, you could also “die with deep peace and consolation?"

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For our sake Christ offered himself to the Father upon the altar for the cross. He now looks down from heaven on our actions and secret thoughts, and one day he will give each of us the reward HIS deeds deserve.

- Saint Thomas Beckett (1118-1170)

No one becomes a saint without struggle, especially with himself.

- Saint Thomas Becket (1118 - 1170)

The Work of Christmas:

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The works of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart.

God’s Protection:

In today’s Gospel, Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus were protected from the evil King Herod’s plan to kill Jesus. God continues to protect us from harm daily. We are each called to praise and thank Him daily and never take His goodness for granted.

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Prayer at Christmas Time:

With glad hearts we joyfully come to the manger to worship the child. And with glad hearts we run to share the news of God living among us and sharing our lives. May the wonder of Christmas renew us, Lord. May our faith make us strong, humble and childlike. We ask this in the name of Jesus, reborn again and again in our lives.

Amen.

Jesus’ Beloved Disciple:

In today’s Gospel, John is affirmed as the “one whom Jesus loved.” John had a special place in Jesus’ heart. How special is Jesus to you? Is Jesus your Saviour whom you can relate to personally? How much of your precious and personal time do you give to God daily?

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To love, even when it is difficult, even when my heart has complaints, when, I feel rejected! Yes, this is what God wants! I will try; I want to start – even if I would fail – until I will be able to love. The Lord God gives me grace, and I have to work with that grace.

- Blessed Sára Salkaházi (1899-1944)

Prayer at Christmas Time:

With glad hearts we joyfully come to the manger to worship the child. And with glad hearts we run to share the news of God living among us and sharing our lives. May the wonder of Christmas renew us, Lord. May our faith make us strong, humble and childlike. We ask this in the name of Jesus, reborn again and again in our lives. Amen.

Jesus’ Beloved Disciple:

In today’s Gospel, John is affirmed as the “one whom Jesus loved.” John had a special place in Jesus’ heart. How special is Jesus to you? Is Jesus your Saviour whom you can relate to personally? How much of your precious and personal time do you give to God daily?

Prayer at Christmas Time:

God, we celebrate your gift of Jesus, Savior of our world; your gift of Mary, willing mother of the Redeemer; your gift of Joseph, strong protector of mother and child; your gift of shepherds, witnesses of the miracle of Christmas; your gift of angels, heralds of glad tidings; your gift of creatures great and small, acknowledging the Creator. Our hearts are full of joy and gratitude. We celebrate you!

“God First” – Faith:

Today we celebrate the feast of St Stephen, first martyr of the Church. Our love for God can be measured by the degree of willingness in putting Him before our own needs, interests and dreams. Do we serve others selflessly?

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Yesterday we celebrated the birth in time of our eternal King. Today we celebrate the triumphant suffering of his soldier. Yesterday our king, clothed in his robe of flesh, left his place in the virgin's womb and graciously visited the world. Today his soldier leaves the tabernacle of his body and goes triumphantly to heaven.

- Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe (Sermon on Saint Stephen)

"Man is so preoccupied with himself, he has such urgent need of all the space and all the time for his own things, that nothing remains for others, for his neighbor, for the poor, for God......Do we have time for our neighbor who is in need of a word from us, from me, or in need of my affection? For the sufferer who is in need of help? For the fugitive or the refugee who is seeking asylum? Do we have time and space for God?"

- His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI (Homily during 2007 Christmas Midnight Mass)

Christmas (A)

Is 52:7-10
Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
Heb 1:1-6
Jn 1:1-18 or Jn 1:1-5, 9-14

Hello, I’m Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, with the "Sunday Soundbite" for the Feast of Christmas. I want to tell you a true story that happened on a Christmas Eve many years ago.

One of my Franciscan confreres, Brother Tim, enjoys celebrating this season so much that we've dubbed him "Father Christmas." Tim credits his love of Christmas to his father. One Christmas Eve in the 1960s when Tim was a youngster, his dad piled all the kids into the car to get them out of the house so Mom could make final holiday preparations. As they drove past Sears, Tim's father suggested a walk through the toy department, to enjoy the sights and sounds.

One display attracted everyone's attention—a huge auto racing set.

As the kids oohed and aahed over it, Tim's dad suddenly said, "You like it? Let's take it home!" And to the utter amazement of the children, he bought the set, squeezed it and the kids back into the car, and they all drove home. Even today, as Tim recalls his father's extravagant gesture, tears come to his eyes.

The extravagance of Tim's father reminds me of God's extravagance in giving us Jesus.Our own Christmas giving is meant to symbolize God's generosity to us. As we give our gifts—large or small—let's be grateful that the Father gave us the greatest gift of all.

Scripture:

•Whoever reveres his father will live a long life; (Sirach 3:6)

•For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, (Psalm 128:2)

•Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, (Colossians 3:16)

•Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, (Matthew 2:13)

•Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, (Matthew 2:20)

Reflection:

•What is the most important aspect of your life? If it was all you had to sustain you, would it be enough to survive?

•If you were to take a spiritual journey, what (who) would you bring?

•In Matthew, are Egypt and Israel metaphors for a spiritual journey?

•Is Egypt the journey to nowhere or nothingness and Israel the journey back to God?

•Are these normal stopping points on the spiritual journey?

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas! The Lord has come!

"A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us" (from the responsorial Psalm). Let the joy of "THE LORD HAS COME!" shine from you. But how, when troubles make the world seem dark?

It’s only possible when we keep our eyes on Jesus. Don't focus on what destroys your joy, for nothing can destroy the coming of the Lord. The absence of joy is merely a blank area in your view of what God is doing.

Look at the love that Jesus has for you! Jesus was born not only to save you from the darkness of sin; he was born because he loves you – he loves you! Even if you had never sinned, he would have come into the world so that he could love you on your level, human-to-human.

Sometimes, great things come in surprising packages that do not seem to be great at all. The Eucharist – in the form of a little wafer of bread – does not look like it contains the full presence of Jesus with all of his humanity and his divinity. The baby Jesus – a tiny, helpless child – does not look like the conqueror of evil. But he is! And so is Jesus in the Eucharist; he is here for you.

And you! You might not seem to be a great person, but you contain Jesus. You contain greatness beyond imagining! This greatness does not dwell only in you; it comes out from you in the form of love.

We can know for sure that we have Jesus within us because of the love that we give to others. We know for sure that we can be victorious over evil when Christ's love extends outward to others from within us. It is Christ's love in the world – through us – that defeats the darkness of hardships and troubles.

Jesus comes to us, not to be served, but to serve our needs. He even laid down his life for you!

To be a follower of Jesus means we learn to imitate him. Christians are not here to be served by those who treat us poorly. We are here to serve them, and in this goodness evil is defeated. In this goodness, the greatness of Jesus extends outward from us.

Each time we give love to others, whether they deserve it or not, we give them the gift of Jesus. We are like Mary, giving birth to love himself, making every day a Christmas day.

And when the giving gets tiring, we need to return to the Eucharist to be nourished and healed and restored by Jesus himself, for his love is our Christmas gift from God.

Have a Very Blessed Christmas
in the gifts that the Lord
has given!

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On this day the Church focuses especially on the newborn Child, God become human, who embodies for us all the hope and peace we seek. We need no other special saint today to lead us to Christ in the manger, although his mother Mary and Joseph, caring for his foster-Son, help round out the scene.

But if we were to select a patron for today, perhaps it might be appropriate for us to imagine an anonymous shepherd, summoned to the birthplace by a wondrous and even disturbing vision in the night, a summons from an angelic choir, promising peace and goodwill. A shepherd willing to seek out something that might just be too unbelievable to chase after, and yet compelling enough to leave behind the flocks in the field and search for a mystery.

On the day of the Lord’s birth, let’s let an unnamed, “un-celebrity” at the edge of the crowd model for us the way to discover Christ in our own hearts—somewhere between skepticism and wonder, between mystery and faith. And, like Mary and the shepherds, let us treasure that discovery in our hearts.

Comment:

The precise dating in this passage sounds like a textbook on creationism. If we focus on the time frame, however, we miss the point. It lays out the story of a love affair: creation, the deliverance of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, the rise of Israel under David. It climaxes with the birth of Jesus. From the beginning, some scholars insist, God intended to enter the world as one of us, the beloved people. Praise God!

Christmas Day: The Greatest Gift:

Recall your fondest Christmas memories: Most likely, they are family and friends gathered together to cherish one another. The greatest gift you can offer your loved ones is the gift of yourself—your time, your attention, your presence.

Shepherds – Faith:

In today’s Gospel, the shepherds were the poorest of the poor but were given the highest honour and privilege to see the baby Messiah. They glorified and praised God. Are we so distracted by the mundane things and concerns of life that we have become blind to God’s presence in our daily lives?

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Christmas has become the Feast of gifts in imitation of God who has given himself to us. Let us allow our heart, our soul and our mind to be touched by this fact! Among the many gifts that we buy and receive, let us not forget the true gift: to give each other something of ourselves, to give each other something of our time, to open our time to God. In this way anxiety disappears, joy is born, and the feast is created. This also means: when you give gifts for Christmas, do not give only to those who will give to you in return, but give to those who receive from no one and who cannot give you anything back. This is what God has done.

- Pope Benedict XVI (12-24-06)

La Navidad ha llegado a ser la fiesta Why must we give ourselves fully to God? Because God has given Himself to us. If God who owes nothing to us, is ready to impart to us no less than Himself, shall we answer with just a fraction of ourselves?

—Mother Teresa

Christmas Eve: The Mercy Promised:

Now that Christmas is arriving, do you feel the breathless excitement of Zechariah, the fulfillment of something long promised? Savor these last quiet moments of waiting.

“Filled with the Holy Spirit”:

In today’s Gospel Zechariah, filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied that his son, John, would prepare the way for the Saviour’s coming. Are we in touch with the Holy Spirit’s guiding, strengthening and enlightening us daily? Be more in tune with the Holy Spirit.

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Bethlehem became the link between heaven and earth; God and man met there and looked each other in the face.

- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

There is in my heart a very deep union with the will of God. I accept not in my feelings—but with my will, the Will of God….The hardest to bear—is this terrible longing for God.

—Mother Teresa

Fourth Sunday of Advent (A)

Is 7:10-14
Ps 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Rm 1:1-7
Mt 1:18-24

Hello, I’m Franciscan Father Greg Friedman, and this is the "Sunday Soundbite" for the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

A former Franciscan missionary in the Philippines once told me that when he traveled from mission to mission the people would not allow him to travel alone. They would ask, "Who is your companion?" Filipino culture, my friend said, is very relational—it values people being together, doing things together—even something as simple as traveling from place to place.

American culture on the other hand values independence and rugged individualism. But there are dangers when we take such an attitude to extreme. Like the Filipino culture, today's Scripture readings offer us a healthy alternative.

In both the first reading and the Gospel, we hear the word Emmanuel—God with us. Isaiah the prophet warns King Ahaz not to turn his back on God's intervention on behalf of the people; God wants to "be with us." That divine intervention becomes personal in Jesus Christ, as the very human story of Joseph and Mary in Matthew's Gospel makes clear. That presence of God with us is at the very heart of the Christmas celebration.

At Christmastime we naturally turn to one another at work, at home, and even on the street to wish greetings of peace and happiness. But there are also those who feel alone or abandoned. The central message of this season is Emmanuel, "God with us." Let's be generous in sharing God's gift of relationship with others.

Scripture:

•Therefore the LORD himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

•Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. (Psalm 24:3,4)

•…descended from David according to the flesh, but established as Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:3,4)

•Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. (Matthew 1:20)

Reflection:

•Is Jesus born once in time or eternally in souls of all who seek Him?

•What is essential for Jesus’ to be born in time?

“The WORD became flesh” (John 1:14). This is what is of benefit to the faithful: that the WORD comes to be in each one. For what good is it to me if the WORD comes to dwell in the world, but I have no part in him?

This absolute emptiness, this poverty, this obscurity holds within it the secret of all joy because it is full of God. To seek this emptiness is true devotion to the Mother of God. To find it is to find her. And to be hidden in its depths is to be full of God as she is full of Him, and to share her mission of bringing Him to all men.

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Love is the theme of the Fourth Sunday of Advent. A good definition of love is in the name that we see in the first reading and again when the prophecy is fulfilled in the Gospel reading: Emmanuel, which means "God is with us." To have love is to have "God with us". To give love is to give God who is with us.

Have you ever felt like you've run out of love to give? Well, that's quite impossible, because God who is love is always with us even when we give out more love than we think we're ready to give. We might get tired of loving someone who doesn't equally love us back. We might even reach the point of despising someone who repeatedly hurts us, which makes us feel like we've run out of love for that person.

This is when we need to ask God for a supernatural ability to love with HIS love. This prayer always works! It's how we become effective evangelizers as distributors of his love. If we give God's love to those who are unpleasant to love, we're revealing to them God who is with us.

And when we're worn out and feeling empty because others are not loving us like they should, we need to remind ourselves that God is with us — we need to call upon Emmanuel. God who is with us already loves us completely, fully, unconditionally, whether or not we deserve it. While we're looking for others to love us more than they do, we feel unloved, but if we keep our eyes on Jesus, his love fills in all the gaps.

Emmanuel. It's a name for Jesus that we should use year-round. As you finish preparing for the celebration of Christmas, focus on Emmanuel. Sing to Emmanuel. Pray to Emmanuel. This sign, this reminder, this name is God's personal Christmas gift to YOU.

Questions for Personal Reflection:

Are you loved enough? What will you do this week (as a Christmas gift for yourself) to become more aware of God's love for you? Here's an idea: Go to the nativity display at your church and look at the manger. Write on a small piece of paper the names of those who fail to love you sufficiently. Place it in the manger and, if it has straw or hay, take a piece of it (or take a flower petal or leaf from a nearby plant) as a reminder that Emmanuel was born to give you more than enough love.

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:

What is the best Christmas gift you've ever received from God? Why did it make you feel loved?

Fourth Sunday of Advent: A Righteous Man

The Gospels do not record Joseph’s feelings upon learning of his predicament, though he planned to dismiss Mary quietly. When the angel instructed him otherwise, he hastened to shoulder this even more difficult burden. Ponder how you can follow the path to which God is calling you.

Uprightness – Faith:

In today’s Gospel, Joseph decided to “spare” Mary from being disgraced. We live out our Christ-like virtues when we love others unconditionally regardless of the pain they cause us. Do we treat those who hurt us with compassion or react emotionally and un-forgivingly?

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Celebrate the feast of Christmas every day, even every moment in the interior temple of your spirit, remaining like a baby in the bosom of the heavenly Father, where you will be reborn each moment in the Divine Word, Jesus Christ.

- Saint Paul of the Cross

You have only to say it and I shall do it.

—Mother Teresa

My Spirit Rejoices:

Though Mary had no specific information, she recognized that the day of salvation was at hand and took time to rejoice. Take a few moments from your last-minute holiday preparations to celebrate the deep joy of Christmas.

AC:

In today’s Gospel Mary praises God in her “Magnificat” Prayer. Mary rejoices because she recognises how abundantly blessed she is to be chosen to serve in God’s plan. How often do we praise God for our vocation and the daily opportunities to love and serve Him and His people?

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We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success nor on sciences that cloud the intellect. Neither does it depend on arms and human industries, but on Jesus alone.

- Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini (1850-1917)

My soul at present is in perfect peace and joy.

—Mother Teresa

A Leap for Joy:

Despite our imperfections, each of us has the power to bring great happiness to someone else. Make time today to bring joy to a person in need.

Prompt Action – Faith:

In today’s Gospel, Mary acted promptly on God’s message and visited her cousin Elizabeth. If you are constantly putting off God’s Will and challenges to live a more Christ-like life, then pray to Mary to help you receive the graces you need.

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Every Sunday I visit the poor in Calcutta’s slums. I cannot help them, because I do not have anything, but I go to give them joy….O God how easily I make them happy! Give me strength to be always the light of their lives and so lead them to You!

—Mother Teresa

Do Not Be Afraid:

The media were shocked at the revelations of Mother Teresa’s insecurities. All Christians have insecurities, though, but we trust God. How little we see God’s plan in our lives; how fearful we are that things may not work out after all! Pray for courage in the area of your life where you most need it.

Servanthood – Faith:

In today’s Gospel Mary humbly acknowledges that she is a “servant” of God to do whatever He Wills. How open are we to suggestions and helps from others? Are we rigid, opinionated and authoritative in our views and ways? How can we allow the Holy Spirit to work more fully in our lives?

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Because we were not made for heaven; we were made for earth. Man, by sin, spoiled the earth, and God came down from heaven in order to help us remake it. After having redeemed us, he said that he would now give us heaven, so we got all this: the earth, and heaven too.

- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Please pray for me that I may have the courage to complete my Sacrifice as He has given me the inspiration and Grace to begin…I have very little courage—but I trust Him blindly, in spite of all feelings.

—Mother Teresa

He Looked Favorably on Me:

John the Baptist—the Elijah of the New Testament—did not come to earth in a fiery chariot but as a tiny baby to elderly parents. Today, name some small ways that God is making a large difference in your life.

Fears – Faith:

In today’s Gospel, the angel assured Zechariah and asked him not to be afraid. Do you have fears that make you miserable? Are these fears related to your low self-esteem, lack of affection and the like? Ponder on your fears and offer them to the Lord. How much of your life do you dare to entrust to the Lord?

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We desire to be able to welcome Jesus at Christmas time, not in a cold manger of our hearts but in a heart full of love and humility, in a heart so pure, so immaculate, so warm with love for one another.

- Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

His ways are so beautiful—to think that we have God almighty to stoop so low as to love you and me and make use of us—and make us feel that He really needs us—as I grow older my wonder at His humility grows….

—Mother Teresa

God Is With Us:

In taking on our human nature, Jesus has ensured that, indeed, God will always be with us. Find a way today to make God’s presence more real to someone in your life.

God’s Will – Faith:

In today’s Gospel, Mary was confronted with a dilemma: to choose God’s Will that would endanger her life or to say “No” to God. She felt much fear, yet she eventually trusted God deeply enough to say “Yes” When we are faced with difficult decisions, do we rely more on God or on our own abilities?

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Advent is nothing other than annual meditation on the work of salvation and sanctification, the work of grace and love, which the Lord 'began' and continually 'begins' in every man and in every generation down to the coming of Jesus Christ, when this shall be brought to completion.

- Pope John Paul II

I know they will laugh at me. They will think me a fool, proud, mad, etc.….I can do without all the rest if I have Him. Fear not for me, nor for those who will join me. God will look after us all. He will be with us.

—Mother Teresa

No One’s Role Is Small:

It is unlikely that those whose names are proclaimed in Jesus’ genealogy knew they were building the family tree of Jesus. We, too, rarely know the role we play in God’s plan, but we must still play our role faithfully. God can make great things out of little gestures.

Genealogy - Faith:

Jesus, the Son of God is a descendent of King David, Israel’s greatest king. Yet, He came from a lineage of sinners who had lost the divine freedom that God gave when He created them. We now belong to a “liberated and redeemed” race that has come from Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour.

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Love is the most beautiful sentiment the Lord has put into the soul of men and women.

- Saint Gianna Beretta Molla (1922-1962)

To the good God nothing is little because He is so great and we are so small—that is why He stoops down and takes the trouble to make those little things for us….Be faithful in little practices of love.

—Mother Teresa

Third Sunday of Advent: Are You the One?

John the Baptist had quite a task. He had to precede Jesus; all we have to do is follow. As Christmas draws near, consider how closely you have been following Jesus. If Christ is the center of your life and the basis of every choice, you’ll find yourself agonizing less and rejoicing that the way has been paved before us.

Jesus – Saviour:

We all believe that Jesus, our Saviour is offering us eternal life. However, like St Paul, to live out what Jesus teaches can be a great struggle for many of us. What is your biggest struggle to live in Jesus’ ways? What aspect of your lifestyle is the Lord challenging you to change?

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The Blessed Virgin did not speak many words. She remained silent in the adoration of her Son; she lived on the contemplation of the ineffable mystery wrought in her and through her, and from the sanctuary of her Immaculate Heart a hymn of praise and thanksgiving rose up unceasingly to God. Let us then live in recollection and try to remain closely united to our Lord.

- Blessed Columba Marion (1858-1923)

Thank God we have been told to follow Christ—not to go ahead of Him. Even in darkness the path is sure.

—Mother Teresa

Third Sunday of Advent (A)

Is 35:1-6a, 10
Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10
Jas 5:7-10
Mt 11:2-11

The signs of the season are all around us these days—displays in the malls, decorations beginning to show up in homes, music on the radio. We don't have to look very far to find them. Hello, I’m Father Greg Friedman, and this is the "Sunday Soundbite" for the Third Sunday of Advent.

In the Gospel today, Jesus urges the disciples of John the Baptist to look for signs as well—signs that Jesus is truly the one sent by God. The signs include dramatic transformations in people, physical disabilities healed, Good News proclaimed to the poor.

These signs are similar to those prophesied by Isaiah in the first reading: physical transformation in the bodies and hearts of God's people and in the desert lands where the Chosen People lived. Such signs would herald the approach of God coming to save the people, to turn their sadness and mourning into joy.

That kind of transformation is supposed to be symbolized in the joy people try to share at Christmas. But we realize that not everyone automatically feels happy or carefree. In this season many of us bear burdens—economic, emotional or physical—which can seem even heavier to bear amidst the trappings of the holidays.

People of faith may need to look beyond the superficial joy urged on us by holiday ads. We can become signs of Christ's presence, signs of "Christmas" to those who are searching for God. By our sensitive listening, our generosity toward others in need, our presence to those who are burdened, we become part of the transforming power of God's reign breaking into our world.

Scripture:

•Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing. (Isaiah 35:6)

•The LORD gives sight to the blind; the LORD raises up those who were bowed down. (Psalm 146:8)

•Make your hearts firm, because the coming of the Lord is at hand. (James 5:8)

•Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them. (Matthew 11:4,5)

Reflection:

•How do you become poor enough to hear the good news?

•Do you have a firm heart? How do you make your heart firm?

•In the twenty-first century, how do you describe someone who is just?

•Have you ever experienced having your “eyes opened” or ears “cleared.” How did it occur?

•What is the common tone of these Advent readings?

The world calls for and expects from us simplicity of life, the spirit of prayer, charity towards all, especially towards the lowly and the poor, obedience and humility, detachment and self-sacrifice. Without this mark of holiness our word will have difficulty in touching the heart of modern man. It risks being vain and sterile.

They Did Not Recognize Him:

John the Baptist and Jesus were killed by those who did not recognize who they truly were. Make an effort to see Christ in all you meet today and to be Christ to those who need your help.

Jesus - Radical Truth:

In today’s Gospel Jesus tells us that as Saviour, He is going to suffer and die on the Cross. There is a human tendency to dominate others, but Jesus’ life witnesses to the divine mystery of a“powerlessness” that “conquers all evil through His Death on the Cross."

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We must not seek the child Jesus in the pretty figures of our Christmas cribs. We must seek him among the undernourished children who have gone to bed tonight with nothing to eat.

- Archbishop Oscar Romero (1917-1980)

The light you give must be so pure, the love you love with must be so burning—The Faith you believe with must be so convincing—that in seeing you they really see only Jesus.

—Mother Teresa

Padre David has gone home...

Padre David Thexeira was called home to be with the Lord on Thursday, 13th December 2007 at 2340hrs.

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon him.

May he rest in peace.

Let us pray for Padre David's soul and for comfort and peace to be upon the family.

Thank you and God Bless.

You Did Not Mourn:

The saints knew suffering beyond what most of us can imagine, yet bore it with grace. Are you preparing for Christmas with joyful anticipation, or are you letting the strain of a hundred tasks sour your mood? Give everyone you meet today the gift of a smile.

Obstinacy– Faith:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus points out that we can be obstinate in our refusal to be open to the Truth of God’s infinite Love for us. We seem to prefer the materialistic and secular ways of living that are meaningless and empty than to follow God’s path the leads to eternal life.

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In detachment, the spirit finds quiet and repose for coveting nothing. Nothing wearies it by elation, and nothing oppresses it by dejection, because it stands in the center of its own humility.

- Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)

If you only knew what goes on within my heart—Sometimes the pain is so great that I feel as if everything will break. The smile is a big cloak which covers a multitude of pains.

—Mother Teresa

Never was fount so clear, undimmed and bright; From it alone, I know proceeds all light although 'tis night.

- St. John of the Cross

If You Are Willing to Accept It:

Much of Jesus’ message was lost on the religious authorities of his day because it was not what they expected. Consider in what unexpected ways is Jesus coming to you this Advent.

Faith – Vigilance:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus cautions us to practice our faith vigilantly by loving God more sincerely and wholeheartedly. Such“vigilance” means living in God’s ways but not bound by a narrow and scrupulous obedience of fulfilling the Church’s Laws. Learn to love God and His Church more deeply.

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Those whose hearts are pure are temples of the Holy Spirit.

- Saint Lucy of Syracuse (283-304)

I am ready to accept whatever He gives and to give whatever He takes with a big smile.

—Mother Teresa

Humble in Heart:

Self-service rarely leads to satisfaction. Great deeds come from working for a purpose greater than ourselves. Where in your holiday preparations is self-importance marring the beauty of the season?

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When shall it be that we shall taste the sweetness of the Divine Will in all that happens to us, considering in everything only His good pleasure, by whom it is certain that adversity is sent with as much love as prosperity, and as much for our good?

- Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)

In all sincerity I admit that I possess no virtue and have no merit. It is a mystery to me how the Good God wants this from poor me…. I am but a humble nun.

— Mother Teresa

She was the beginning of what we can truly call the New World,
where men and women of all backgrounds could live and work in peace.

—St. Anthony Messenger

In Search of the One:

Just as in the parable of the Good Shepherd, God seeks always the last, the lost, the least. Who in your life needs finding and bringing back to the fold?

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I know well that I am young and weak, but I trust in God and your holy prayers, because the Lord who accepts our purpose gives us strength, for He is a God of purposes.

- Saint Daniel the Stylite (409-493)

What if all be failure—I have no fear—if only one family—if only one little unhappy child is made happy with the love of Jesus, tell me will it not be worth all of us giving all for that?

—Mother Teresa

Pray for Courage:

The bold actions of the paralytic’s friends gave him the opportunity to receive God’s powerful healing—both physically and spiritually. For what would you pray, if you had the courage?

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Love is sufficient of itself; it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in the practice.

- Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

I am very sure of God. I trust His love. I hope many things, or rather everything from Him—this is what has made me dare so far…

—Mother Teresa

Second Sunday of Lent: Prepare the Way of the Lord

The ascetism of John the Baptist and the self-sacrifice of Mother Teresa are astonishing testaments to their faith. Think of one concrete step you can take to welcome Christ’s presence in your life.

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If we are the heirs of Christ, let us abide in the peace of Christ; if we are the sons of God, let us be lovers of peace.

- Saint Cyprian of Carthage (190-258)

I took the change as God Sent—to get stronger to prepare my body and soul for His coming. Here I have nothing to think about—except how to live for others.

—Mother Teresa

Second Sunday of Advent (A)

Is 11:1-10
Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Rm 15:4-9
Mt 3:1-12

Have you heard about "God's dream for the world"? Hello, I’m Father Greg Friedman, and this is the "Sunday Soundbite" for the Second Sunday of Advent.

That phrase—God's dream for the world—is a favorite expression of a colleague of mine. He uses it to describe how he interprets Scripture passages like those from Isaiah and St. Paul in today's liturgy. My friend says that God's dream for the world is a vision of all of creation—reconciled, at peace, full of the justice and harmony intended for it by our Creator.

Isaiah's "peaceable kingdom"—a scene favored by artists, where the lion and the lamb play together—is an expression of what God envisions for all of us: the beautiful earth, healed of the ravages of greed and pollution; humanity living according to God's wisdom, understanding, justice. St. Paul encourages the gentile Christians of the Church at Rome to see themselves united with Paul's Jewish brothers and sisters in coming together to praise God.

Accomplishing this dream of God means a real and radical change of heart, true conversion. Such change doesn't come easy, as we know. Just look around at our world—or better yet, we might look inside our own hearts. We need the prophetic "wake-up call" of John the Baptist in Matthew's Gospel today to summon us to conversion. We will need God's grace and power, present in Jesus Christ.

Scripture:

•Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, (Isaiah 11:3)

•For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out, and the afflicted when he has no one to help him. (Psalm 72:12)

•I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing praises to your name. (Romans 15:9b)

•His food was locusts and wild honey. (Matthew 3:4b)

Reflection:

•How will you simplify your life this advent?

•What is really important this holiday season?

•Will you allow time to prepare for Christ’s coming?

•Take time to pray for peace.

We must pray without tiring, for salvation of mankind does not depend on material success but on Jesus alone. (Frances Xavier Cabrini)

Prayer means a launching out of the heart towards God; it means lifting up one’s eyes, quite simply to heaven, a cry of grateful love, from the crest of joy or through the trough of despair; it is vast, supernatural force that opens out my heart and binds me close to Jesus. (Thérèse of Lisieux)

Peace is the theme of the Second Sunday of Advent. The first reading describes Christ, the Messiah who came from the line of Jesse, King David's father. It also describes how to obtain peace — a peace that sustains us even in the midst of sufferings and trials. It's the very nature of Jesus himself: "The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him"; have you felt the Holy Spirit "resting" on you lately?

We experience true peace when we're in a restful relationship with God, i.e., when we're not struggling against him and his ways and his plans for us. Peace does not depend on finding an end to the struggles we have with people or with financial shortages or addictions or health problems, etc.. We can work hard to accomplish peace in any trial, win the war, and still not be at peace.

Peace comes to us in the wisdom and understanding that we get from the Holy Spirit. Peace comes from following the Spirit's counsel and relying upon God's strength. Peace comes from gaining knowledge of the truth that God wants us to know, in total submission to his authority, obediently acting upon the truth.

In the Gospel reading, John the Baptist reminds us to "prepare the way of the Lord and make straight his paths." To receive the Spirit of God and his peace, we must prepare ourselves to meet Jesus in the Mass and in all the other ways that he wants to come to us. How? By identifying and repenting of our sins, thus straightening our crooked paths. We need to get rid of the obstacles that block our view of Jesus. We need to stop following our feelings and fascinations that lead us into twisted circles that get us nowhere fast in our search for peace.

Whatever separates us from God's peace we must get rid of, either through the Sacrament of Reconciliation or, when we've committed only small, venial sins, through the Penitential Rite at the beginning of Mass.

Questions for Personal Reflection:

What turmoil is going on in your life? What has stolen your peace? The only control you have over the problems that disturb you is how you let them affect you. Where is Jesus? What obstacles (e.g., unforgiveness or resentment) do you need to repent of to see him and feel his peace?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:

What methods do you use to settle down and rest in the Spirit of Jesus when turmoil is spinning around you? What kind of prayer helps? Do you go on retreat or confide in a spiritual director? What are some other ideas?

The Harvest Is Plentiful:

The holiday season offers many opportunities to discuss God with those who might be feeling particularly lonely at this time of year. Consider inviting a friend or neighbor to Mass with you tomorrow.

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As a merciful Mother, Mary is the anticipated figure and everlasting portrait of the Son. Thus, we see that the image of the Sorrowful Virgin, of the Mother who shares her suffering and her love, is also a true image of the Immaculate Conception. Her heart was enlarged by being and feeling together with God. In her, God's goodness came very close to us.

- Pope Benedict XVI (December 8, 2005)

How many die without God—just because there was nobody to say one word about His Mercy…

—Mother Teresa

O Father, you prepared the Virgin Mary to be the worthy mother of your Son. …Help us by her prayers, to live in your presence without sin. Amen.

- Unknown

According to Your Faith:

In many ways, God asks us to believe without seeing, to trust even in the face of great hardship. Remember a time when you were sure you could not make it through another day, and thank God for carrying you.

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The hands should be at work, the heart with God.

- Saint Mary Joseph Rosello (1811-1888)

Let us trust Him blindly. He will see to it that our faith in Him will not be lost.

—Mother Teresa

House Built on Rock:

Mother Teresa was not the first to take pity on Calcutta’s poor and suffering. Yet she became so effective at alleviating misery because she built her mission on Jesus. As you go about your holiday preparations, be sure that Jesus is the foundation of your efforts.

Faith – Words vs Living:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asserts that if we call Him, “Lord, Lord,” then we must also make Him the Lord and centre of our lives. If our belief in Him is not being witnessed, then our faith may be only superficial, superstitious or superfluous. How true is this of your life?

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Where I assert that we are one in God, I must be understood in this sense that we are one in love.

- Blessed John van Ruysbroeck (1293-1381)

We are not social workers. We are contemplatives in the heart of the world. We are 24 hours a day with Jesus.

—Mother Teresa

O good holy Nicholas, you who brought joy to children, put in my heart the spirit of childhood about which the Gospel speaks. Teach me how to sow happiness around me. Amen.

—Prayer to St. Nicholas

Compassion for the Crowd:

Jesus taught the crowd of God, cured their illnesses and restored their faculties; he sought to find yet more needs of theirs to fulfill. During this holy season, try to seek out the needs of others and fill them as you are able.

Jesus’ Compassion:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus shows His deep compassion for the sick, crippled, blind, dumb and the hungry. Jesus knows the pains and problems of our lives. His Compassion is more than healing us physically and emotionally; He also wants to heal us spiritually so as to deepen our relationship with Him.

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What must you do to have life? Before all else, the first thing you have to do is pray for courage every day to carry the cross the Lord has assigned you. Then let each of you do your own work really well, the work proper to your state, as God wants it, and according to your condition, which means according to the spirit of the Lord.

- Blessed Philip Rinaldi (1856-1931)


Today God loves the world so much that he gives you, he gives me, to love the world, to be his love, his compassion. It is such a beautiful thought for us—and a conviction—that you and I can be that love and compassion.

—Mother Teresa

Hidden From the Wise:

As Jesus celebrates the return of his 70 disciples, we are reminded that God often chooses those the world rejects. Our job is simply to trust that our God, who can create all out of nothing, can make something beautiful out of every opportunity we offer.

Faith – A Divine Gift:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is challenging us to be more receptive to God’s Truth of Salvation and not be too taken up by our daily concerns, needs and gratifications. Value our faith more fully as God’s most precious divine gift. Be more childlike in our faith

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Be living Gospels.

- Saint Giovanni Calabria (1873-1954)

I feel sometimes afraid, for I have nothing, no brains, no learning, no qualities required for such work…

—Mother Teresa

Faith – Witness:

St Francis Xavier spread the truth of Christ, our Saviour with great passion. How much we value our faith is shown in the quality of how we live for God and how deep is our desire to draw people closer to Him. Does your life show that you value your faith?

Not Worthy to Receive You:

At every Mass we recall the centurion’s words: “Lord, I am not worthy to receive you.” Truly, even the most worthy among us recognize that we all are on equal footing before God.

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It is not the actual physical exertion that counts towards a man's progress, nor the nature of the task, but by the spirit of faith with which it is undertaken.

- Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552)

My own Jesus, what you ask is beyond me. I can hardly understand half of the things you want. I am unworthy. I am sinful. I am weak. Go, Jesus, and find a more worthy soul, a more generous one.

—Mother Teresa

All of us are called to “go and preach to all nations” (see Matthew 28:19). Our preaching is not necessarily on distant shores but to our families, our children, our husband or wife, our coworkers. And we are called to preach not with words, but by our everyday lives. Only by sacrifice, the giving up of all selfish gain, could Francis Xavier be free to bear the Good News to the world. Sacrifice is leaving yourself behind at times for a greater good, the good of prayer, the good of helping someone in need, the good of just listening to another. The greatest gift we have is our time. Francis gave his to others.

- Unknown

First Sunday of Advent -- Be Ready:

Advent is a time for preparing. Most of us are busy with preparing for aspects of our holiday—gifts, decorations, food, travel and agonizing over how we’re going to pay for it all. Advent, though, reminds us to prepare for what’s really important. Our focus should be on Christ. Once we have our priorities straight, everything else falls into place.

Vigilance – Fragility of Life:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus urges us to live vigilantly and wisely i.e. in God’s ways. If we love God fully and show this in the way we live, we will find deep peace and joy not only now, but for all eternity. Otherwise, our lives would be anxious, angry and empty.

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There is no other cause for the Incarnation except this alone: He saw us bowed down to the ground perishing, tyrannized by death, and he had mercy.

- Saint John Chrysostom

All beginners have their many crosses, but pray for me and for those who join, that we may have the courage to do this work for souls.

—Mother Teresa

First Sunday of Advent (A)

Is 2:1-5
Ps 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Rm 13:11-14
Mt 24:37-44

The approach of the holiday season usually finds me in search of what I like to call the "lost Christmas," a fantasy combination of childhood memories. Hello, I’m Father Greg Friedman, and this is the "Sunday Soundbite" for the First Sunday of Advent.

A treasured ornament; a worn, shabby Santa figure; an heirloom Nativity scene—all these can evoke powerful recollections of Christmas as a child, when life was less complicated. It's probably closer to a fantasy than reality, since I can easily "edit out" unpleasant memories.

It's easy to get caught up in Christmas nostalgia, and forget the central truth of the season: God is breaking into our troubled world. The Scripture readings for this first Sunday in Advent urge us to wake up to what is happening here and now. This is the hour of salvation, St. Paul tells the Romans. He echoes Jesus' words in Matthew's Gospel: We must be prepared, focused on making our hearts ready to receive God at every moment of our lives.

Without letting go of fond memories, it's my hope this year to focus more on the good news which the season celebrates, the birth of hope into our midst. It might make a difference in how I relate to all the frantic preparations for the externals of Christmas; a true change of heart might open me to the peace promised by Isaiah in the first reading. That would make for some new memories of this season, to carry into the future.

Scripture:

•They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; …nor shall they train for war again. (Isaiah 2:4)

•May those who love you prosper! May peace be within your walls, (Psalm 122:6b,7a)

•…the night is advanced, the day is at hand.…put on the Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 13:12a,14a)

•Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. (Matthew 24:42)

Reflection:

•Is there a time or place for Isaiah’s prophecy to occur? How do you let it happen?

•Can you find a “place” or “time” of peace despite the conflict that may surround you? Is this a spiritual place or time?

•Is the sense of time in these scriptures measured in kronos (spatial time) or kairos (beyond spatial time?)

•Where do you “go” to find peace? Is where you go in time or space?

•Is Advent a season to find a spiritual peace?

Let nothing disturb you, nothing affright you; all things are passing, God never changes… (St.Teresa of Avila)

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Hope is the theme of the First Sunday of Advent. In the readings for Mass, Isaiah describes a future in which all is well because (1) God is recognized as the highest authority and (2) following his ways is the people's highest priority.

This vision gave great hope to the oppressed Israelites. As a picture of heaven, it also gives great hope to us. Even if "terms" (of purgatory) must be "imposed" upon us because we've not stayed entirely on the paths of God, we will be living in the light of the Lord after death, and there will be no more wars to battle.

Knowing that this is our future, we can look at today's trials as preparations for heaven. The weapons that we use now to defeat and overcome the powers of darkness can be used as plowshares for enriching our soil (our earthly life), bringing us into new growth and producing a harvest in ministry. Sufferings that are turned into ministries to help others make the hardships very worthwhile.

Although Isaiah was speaking of the coming of the world's Messiah through the Jews, these verses remind us that when we respect God's authority and make imitating Christ our highest priority, all is well for us. Our battles against evil aren't over yet, but Jesus has already won the victory for us. Our hope is not based on a wish for peace; our hope comes from the reality of what Jesus has already done and what he will do. So, "let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord!" (Psalm 122).

The Gospel reading tells us that our hope is realized only if we stay awake and alert to the activities of Christ. What are you despairing about? Despair and worry are merely an attempt by the devil to make you forget that Christ has already won the battle for you. If we stay alert to the presence of Christ, recognizing his authority and following his ways, we live in hope — not wishful thinking, but a hope that's based firmly on reality.

Questions for Personal Reflection:

What are you despairing about? What would it take for you to feel hopeful? In what way do you need Jesus to come to you now? What can you do to become more aware of his presence at your side?

Questions for Community Faith Sharing:

How do you find hope in difficulties? Describe a time when you nearly lost all hope. How did Jesus rescue you from this?

Prayer for Those Seeking God:

Lord, here I am, trying to make my way to you. I pray that I follow your lead. I pray that I move past all those things that keep me from you. I do realize that I cannot do that without you. God, my center, here I am, trying to make my way to you.

Vigilance – Faith:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus urges us to live our faith vigilantly. This is because the end of the world can come suddenly. We should take this reminder of Jesus not with fear, but with gratitude of His love and care for us, especially our eternal salvation.

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We must read and reread the Gospel without stopping, so that we will have the spirit, deeds, words, and thoughts of Jesus before us so that we may one day think, talk, and act as he did.

- Blessed Charles de Fouclaud (1858-1916)